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Posted on Thu, Aug 22, 2013 : 12:56 p.m.

Shopping frenzy: Hundreds of people swarm Arbor Hills center on opening day

By Lizzy Alfs

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Hundreds of eager shoppers stood in line Thursday morning to be among the first customers at Ann Arbor's new Arbor Hills shopping center.

The parking lot at the development on Washtenaw Avenue between Huron Parkway and Platt Road was nearly full by the time Arbor Hills celebrated its grand opening at 10 a.m., and cars continued to circle the parking lot throughout the morning.

lululemon_opening_day.jpg

Shoppers wait to get inside Ann Arbor's new Madewell store at Arbor Hills shopping center. (lululemon is the store pictured)

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

At 9:30 a.m., shoppers lined the sidewalk outside The North Face and Madewell, waiting to get opening-day discounts. Lululemon athletica opened its doors early to a steady stream of customers.

“We’re big lululemon (athletica) fans,” said Lynn Osaer, a Northville resident and one of the first customers to shop at the yoga-inspired clothing store on Thursday.

“We normally go to Somerset (Collection) and downtown Birmingham...but this is a twenty-minute drive from Northville. It’s closer than Somerset. I’ll definitely be back.”

Arbor Hills is a four-building, 90,700-square-foot outdoor boutique shopping center. There are 18 confirmed tenants, and 11 of those celebrated grand openings on Thursday. Construction crews are working to finish individual build-outs at the seven remaining stores, which will open in the next two months.

Arbor Hills development on Washtenaw Avenue

The developers have 18 signed leases, including national, regional and local tenants

The center has 310 parking spaces — more than what's required by city of Ann Arbor ordinance. Drivers who couldn’t find an open space on Thursday parked along the Arbor Hills sidewalks and even across Washtenaw Avenue at the Huron Village shopping center, which is anchored by Whole Foods Market.

“We parked at Whole Foods and ran across Washtenaw,” said Carrie Matson, who drove to the shopping center from Jackson with her friend, Mindy Ray. Matson and Ray were looking forward to shopping at Anthropologie.

North Shore Properties Group's Max Reiswerg, one of the developers of the center, estimated about 35 percent of the cars in the parking lot were from construction crews and people working on finishing build-outs.

After years of planning and months of construction, he said it was satisfying to see Arbor Hills open to shoppers.

Victor Maniaci and Brittany Cymes were the first customers in line at Madewell, a women’s clothing store owned by J. Crew. Maniaci and Cymes live in a neighborhood across Washtenaw Avenue from Arbor Hills and were generally pleased with how the development turned out.

“I think it’s a good thing, because it’s sort of taking the whole area of Ann Arbor and progressing it toward something bigger, a more metropolis-type setting,” Maniaci said.

Cymes added: “It’s different. They brought over (all the tenants) from Somerset Collection. …There’s really no reason to leave the city now.”

Maniaci and Cymes both said traffic on Washtenaw is already heavy, but they’re happy a traffic signal was installed at the Washtenaw and Platt Road intersection. Maniaci said there should be an overcrossing that connects the Huron Village center to Arbor Hills.

“The light is good because there was an accident last year,” Cymes said.

In Aug. 2012, a man driving a Ford Explorer on Washtenaw Avenue near the Platt intersection hit a woman on her bicycle. The bicyclist suffered “catastrophic” injuries, according to Ann Arbor police Sgt. Bill Clock.

The new traffic light was planned as part of the Arbor Hills development when the site plan was approved in 2011.

zola_bistro_hiring_sign.jpg

Zola Bistro is hiring employees for its restaurant in Arbor Hills shopping center.

Lizzy Alfs | AnnArbor.com

John Reyes — a Washtenaw County resident who came to the center’s opening day to check out lululemon and Sur La Table — said he loves the addition of Arbor Hills to the Ann Arbor area retail scene.

“I love it. The quality of the stores are better than everywhere else,” he said.

Arbor Hills’ restaurant tenants — Metro Detroit-based Pizzeria Biga and Zola Bistro, a restaurant by the owners of Ann Arbor’s Cafe Zola — are still working on build-outs. Zola Bistro has a “Now Hiring” sign above the restaurant space.

Jason Friend, owner of the Glassbox Coffee & Juice in Arbor Hills, had a busy morning as shoppers filed into Glassbox to get their coffee fix. The Arbor Hills coffee shop is Friend's second location in Ann Arbor after he opened one on South University in March.

The Arbor Hills Glassbox Coffee & Juice has 14 fresh juices on the menu, and a Steampunk brewing system — a pricey, American-made coffee machine that can quickly brew coffee in different styles, including French press and pour-over.

Reiswerg said he’s negotiating a deal with a high-profile restaurant user to take another space in Arbor Hills, and there is one 3,200-square-foot retail space available.

The video below shows the first shoppers entering Madewell, a women's clothing store owned by J.Crew, at 10 a.m. on Thursday.

Lizzy Alfs is a business reporter for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at 734-623-2584 or email her at lizzyalfs@annarbor.com. Follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/lizzyalfs.

Comments

jns131

Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 5:11 a.m.

So glad I was out of town. 300 parking spaces eh? Wow. Glad 23 is near by. Washtenaw otherwise could not handle this kind of traffic.

mady

Fri, Aug 23, 2013 : 6:19 p.m.

"Rollin', rollin', rollin', keep them dogies rollin', though the streets are swollen, must buy!! ...."ride 'em in, count 'em out, RAWHIIIIIIDE"!

sesomai

Fri, Aug 23, 2013 : 3:43 p.m.

Does anyone have a photo of what this area looked like before Arbor Hills was built? I never got around to taking one before demolition happened. It would be fun to see the comparison now that Arbor Hills is almost finished.

talker

Sat, Aug 24, 2013 : 2:23 a.m.

You might want to access Google maps/earth ASAP because they could update the map at any time. We moved to Ann Arbor in the mid-70's and bought a car from Lee Oldsmobile. In the 1980's I bought a teak cabinet/bookcase from a small furniture store there. We also have some furniture from Handicraft (NW corner of Division and Liberty), Englander (on south State Street where there has been a computer servicing business more recently), and a place on Maple south of Jackson, as well as remaining stores, Tyners (now in Ann Arbor and formerly on Michigan Avenue east of downtown Ypsilanti) and Art Van. In the 1990's there was a pet grooming business and an Enterprise automobile rental place.

treetowncartel

Fri, Aug 23, 2013 : 7:05 p.m.

Also, here is a picture of the Buick Dealership that once stood where Whole Foods is now http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7039/6953332177_255f7642ec_z.jpg

treetowncartel

Fri, Aug 23, 2013 : 6:45 p.m.

@ Kyle,if you have access to photos from the A2 snooze archives you might find a picture of the John Lee Oldsmobile Dealership that took up the majority of that space.

Brad

Fri, Aug 23, 2013 : 6:33 p.m.

Google Earth street view has pre-construction imagery.

Kyle Mattson

Fri, Aug 23, 2013 : 6:30 p.m.

Hi sesomai- Looks like there are a couple photos in these stories from a few years back with the project was in the very early stages: http://bit.ly/14LMBeJ http://bit.ly/16DNc5t If anyone else happens to have other photos of the site please feel free to post a link here to them or email them our way. Thanks!

CLX

Fri, Aug 23, 2013 : 3:14 p.m.

I'm of two minds. On the one hand, I hope that new stores bring new property tax revenues (so hoping that there were no tax incentives involved). On the other, the proliferation of strip malls reminds me too much of the Detroit suburbs, which I avoid like the plague.

Veracity

Sat, Aug 24, 2013 : 2:08 a.m.

CLX - Unfortunately, the city and county will not receive any additional tax revenue from Arbor Hills for nineteen years when the TIF tax abatement granted to them expires. The money saved by the tax forgiveness is intended to reimburse the developer for Brownfield remediation and site development costs.

Tom Joad

Fri, Aug 23, 2013 : 3:03 p.m.

The mania of consumption

oldlocal

Fri, Aug 23, 2013 : 12:35 p.m.

Public servants of Ann Arbor, rejoice! Upscale stores, and upscale townies, mean upscale tax revenues. It's all good.

talker

Sat, Aug 24, 2013 : 2:14 a.m.

You are too optimistic. The shops have been favored with many years of not having to pay taxes to the city. It's hard to believe, but it's true.

Sooze

Fri, Aug 23, 2013 : 12:01 p.m.

Washtenaw between Platt and HP was already a challenge but now look: The center lane will be gridlocked with people trying to turn left into Whole Foods (with not enough tiny spaces) at the same time as opposing cars try to turn left into the new mall (with not enough tiny spaces). Plus people from all over SE Michigan eager for trendy shopping will be running back and forth across 5 lanes of busy traffic, causing additional excitement and the inevitable accidents. And U-M isn't even up and running yet plus we have football Saturdays, so bring a lunch if you plan to traverse Washtenaw from now on!

handywolf

Fri, Aug 23, 2013 : 5:29 p.m.

i would say gridlock is part of the beauty for pedestrians, much easier to get across a road where no one is moving.

LXIX

Fri, Aug 23, 2013 : 9:03 a.m.

Immediately the comedy 'White Chicks' comes to mind. All together now "S h o p p i n g !!!" " 'I think it's a good thing, because it's sort of taking the whole area of Ann Arbor and progressing it toward something bigger, a more metropolis-type setting,' Maniaci said. Cymes added: 'It's different. They brought over (all the tenants) from Somerset Collection. …There's really no reason to leave the city now.' " Welcome to the new Ann Arbor....

hawkhulk

Fri, Aug 23, 2013 : 5:06 a.m.

It is all fine and dandy, but I doubt if I will be shopping at many of these stores. Most are too expensive, and the ones with discount prices like the North Face, often sell cheap imported clothing which I simply will no longer buy. I prefer to shop online rather than deal with long lines at a store these days.

jklep12

Fri, Aug 23, 2013 : 8:47 a.m.

Thank you for explaining how you prefer to shop. So many people were wondering, but you've cleared it up for us.

Tesla

Fri, Aug 23, 2013 : 2:13 a.m.

People actually still go to stores?

simone66

Thu, Aug 22, 2013 : 11:46 p.m.

I'm glad to be among the working so that I don't have nothing better to do than to stand in line for a grand opening of a store. I will walk there tomorrow after work and I'm sure I'll buy something. Welcome to the neighborhood Arbor Hills! I feel sorry for the folks who have to drive there, and especially those who will wait for the weekend as it may be their only chance to visit.

johnnya2

Fri, Aug 23, 2013 : 2:31 a.m.

Awfully pretentious of yout o believe that people who do not work in the day do not work. I know plenty of doctors who work in ER who may not work 9-5. Firefighters, police officers, nurses, restaurant managers, cab drivers, security guards, all work hours where that wouldnt be an issue. I guess people who work 9-5 are the only people who have REAL jobs in your delusional world.

Nicklesworth

Thu, Aug 22, 2013 : 11:11 p.m.

Sounds like an ok place that could be even better if Sears rents that final 3200 sq ft.

Hmm

Fri, Aug 23, 2013 : 3:01 p.m.

I thought it was a funny joke Nickesworth. For what that's worth

Brad

Thu, Aug 22, 2013 : 11:16 p.m.

Sears is circling the drain. Get serious.

A2centsworth

Thu, Aug 22, 2013 : 10:14 p.m.

This much excitement over shopping?? I just don't get it...

norainnorainbow

Thu, Aug 22, 2013 : 9:02 p.m.

Can't wait to have to start dodging runners and walkers trying to cross Washtenaw! When I drove by around 11:45, three cars were parked in the bus pull-out. Ha!

simone66

Thu, Aug 22, 2013 : 11:48 p.m.

Are you kidding me? I hope they get tickets. If people park there, it's going to disrupt traffic on Washtenaw big time.

Machine

Thu, Aug 22, 2013 : 8:49 p.m.

I still have to drive to Somerset since we didn't get a Lego store :(

Melanie Maxwell

Fri, Aug 23, 2013 : 2:07 p.m.

The developer said there is still one store front up for lease. So I suppose all hope is not lost! The inner Lego architect in me would be more than pleased...

Kyle Mattson

Fri, Aug 23, 2013 : 6:09 a.m.

Macine, I'm actually very surprised a Lego store did not open in this development. I was at Somerset a few months back after some of the stores were announced for Arbor Hills and comparing it to the stores there and the Lego store was one I thought would have been fitting.

A2comments

Thu, Aug 22, 2013 : 8:42 p.m.

Lemmings...

operabethie

Thu, Aug 22, 2013 : 11:22 p.m.

@brad amazing!

Brad

Thu, Aug 22, 2013 : 11:16 p.m.

lululemmings?

a2xarob

Thu, Aug 22, 2013 : 8:20 p.m.

After shopping at Hiller's this afternoon, I planned to drive by the new shopping center to see how busy it was. But from what I could see at about 3:30, there was gridlock in the eastbound lane of Washtenaw before and through the light at Platt, so I turned right on Huron Pkwy and went home instead. I wonder how it will be at afternoon drive-time when U of M is back in full swing and people are trying to get from campus to 23.

Ann English

Thu, Aug 22, 2013 : 8:54 p.m.

From campus to US-23? They can use Geddes instead of Washtenaw to get on US-23.

Nicholas Urfe

Thu, Aug 22, 2013 : 7:53 p.m.

"U-M commuters from the east need at least one route to get to and from work that isn't constantly inundated with traffic!" Aka, "drivers from the east need at least one route to get to and from work that isn't constantly inundated with drivers from the east!"

Veracity

Sat, Aug 24, 2013 : 1:56 a.m.

Arlington and Geddes Road are single lane and Arlington is a neighborhood street.

Ann English

Thu, Aug 22, 2013 : 8:52 p.m.

They can take Arlington and Geddes instead of only Washtenaw.

Lola

Thu, Aug 22, 2013 : 7:45 p.m.

Lemmings. The stores there will still be open tomorrow and the day after. Just like when new restaurants open. I stay away for at least the first month.

Veracity

Sat, Aug 24, 2013 : 1:43 a.m.

Lola, By waiting a month you may miss your opportunity to visit the stores and restaurants if they go out of business. But, seriously, it will take a year or two before that happens.

mady

Fri, Aug 23, 2013 : 6:15 p.m.

good one Lola! saw a bumper sticker a while ago that read,"I don't CARE if I'm a lemming, I'm NOT going." sums it up for me also!

jklep12

Fri, Aug 23, 2013 : 8:44 a.m.

Wow, tell me more wise one.

jastro734

Thu, Aug 22, 2013 : 7:38 p.m.

I LOVE Ann Arbor. Shopping centers like this take away a piece of my soul.

jns131

Tue, Aug 27, 2013 : 5:12 a.m.

Say good bye to Ann Arbor and hello to New York. Mecca shopping capital of the world.

AA Neighbor

Thu, Aug 22, 2013 : 7:33 p.m.

Welcome to The Shallows, a new sitcom in which the most inarticulate and vapid members of society finally have their few minutes of media exposure in a local shopping blog that pretends to be an online newspaper. Set in a formerly eclectic and somewhat interesting mid-west college town, The Shallows and its ever-changing cast gives a whole new meaning to the lives of shoppers through vicarious participation in national consumer experiences.

mady

Fri, Aug 23, 2013 : 6:13 p.m.

Yes! like Swamp Gas in a crowded theatah, so go the days of our lives!

GratefulReb

Thu, Aug 22, 2013 : 7:10 p.m.

This is great for Ann Arbor. I wish nothing but the best for this new development. And please, if you think the stores are too expensive and the parking is bad, simply do not go and stop whining. Assuming you live in A2, this is a big positive for you with regards to more tax dollars.

daywell

Thu, Aug 22, 2013 : 9:33 p.m.

Well put

Veracity

Thu, Aug 22, 2013 : 7:45 p.m.

Tax dollars only come with success, of which I wish them a lot!

thefoodandwinehedonist

Thu, Aug 22, 2013 : 6:48 p.m.

It's totally an Ann Arbor thing to rip on a) a new mall, b) parking and traffic, and c) the above comment about labor practices. But let's also look at the positives - the land was a fenced-off eyesore - People love stores like lululemon and sur la table - so much so they've been traveling to very far to buy their goods or order it online. This is an opportunity to spend money here in A2. I know these businesses aren't from Ann Arbor, but the employees sure are. - It's also making A2 a shopping destination for people in other towns that would normally go to Novi or Birmingham. - the stores - in terms of quality and "hipness" - is through the roof compared to other area shopping options - whether they are locally owned businesses or ones at Briarwood. Just because you're still wearing tie-dye and Birkenstocks doesn't mean that others want to. Go to any gym around here and the country - you'll see more lululemon than you can shake a stick at.

tosviol8or

Sat, Aug 24, 2013 : 6:31 p.m.

They travel very far to order online?

Usual Suspect

Fri, Aug 23, 2013 : 2:57 p.m.

When people disagree with your opinion, it makes you feel better to convince yourself they're extremely small in number.

Brad

Fri, Aug 23, 2013 : 12:45 p.m.

lululemon sells those yoga pants that only look good on about 2% of the population

mermaid72

Fri, Aug 23, 2013 : 12:10 p.m.

"Go to any gym around here and the country - you'll see more lululemon than you can shake a stick at." What or who is luluemon? This unhip Birkenstock shod creature wants to know!

pchbob

Thu, Aug 22, 2013 : 11:25 p.m.

Right on foodandwinehedonist! Ditto, Ditto, Ditto. Little less grunge in a2 would be nice.

seabass68

Thu, Aug 22, 2013 : 8:42 p.m.

I see this development as a positive development for the city. There is an established demand for upscale apparel and goods by folks living in and around the city of Ann Arbor. I think most people here would prefer to have them proximate as an option within the local retail landscape. There can be a concurrent appetite for both local/independent and national retailers; each has to continue to remain competitive and address their customers' needs. On a selfish level, as a resident of A2, we've lost quite a bit of our tax base over the years with the U controlling more and more properties within the city and Arbor Hills brings additional tax revenue into the city. Further, Washtenaw is a commercial corridor; take a look as you drive along it in the event that you've forgotten. Traffic is an inconvenience, but the city and developers are appropriately concentrating retail in and along an established commercial corridor. Any type of growth (household, commercial, etc.) brings with it challenges including vehicle congestion. While not trying to sound insensitive, that is one of the realities of living in a world where we rely on our cars for groceries, work, etc. There will be times when we will need to allow for a few additional minutes to get from here to there, but we're a resilient people and will adapt.

RunsWithScissors

Thu, Aug 22, 2013 : 7:08 p.m.

Yes, the majority of us are ripping on the traffic situation. Yes, it's nice to have upscale stores. But the traffic is extremely heavy on the Washtenaw corridor and it's reasonable to request that the city traffic engineers (do we have any?) address the congestion *before* moving ahead with retail development. p.s. Tie-dye & Birkenstocks are cool.

Halter

Thu, Aug 22, 2013 : 7:07 p.m.

This is 100% percent correct -- but the "totally Ann Arbor thing" has to be qualified as the "AnnArbor.com commenters who go out of their way to be nasty and negative" rather than Ann Arbor as a whole -- which embraces these things wholeheartedly. Can't wait to go check it out myself after work today. The AnnArbor.com commenters skew toward bitter downtown-oriented oldtimers who are against all development be it in their own backyard or two miles down the road. In this instance, though, they are fortunately in the 1 or 2 %ile not the norm.

RunsWithScissors

Thu, Aug 22, 2013 : 6:34 p.m.

"We parked at Whole Foods and ran across Washtenaw," Boutique stores, pretentious coffee and a lively game of Frogger across Washtenaw. What more could a shopper ask for!

mady

Fri, Aug 23, 2013 : 6:12 p.m.

Hey, maybe also Asteroids? Frogger's a good analogy too!

WalkingJoe

Thu, Aug 22, 2013 : 8:17 p.m.

Love the Frogger analogy. All of a sudden I can't get that silly tune out of my head. LOL

sttc

Thu, Aug 22, 2013 : 6:32 p.m.

at first i was excited to see a long vacant lot in such a visible area get developed, but all the gridlock on washtenaw stemming from this place and that light they put in at the corner of platt is already driving me nuts. U-M commuters from the east need at least one route to get to and from work that isn't constantly inundated with traffic!

sttc

Fri, Aug 23, 2013 : 4:44 p.m.

sure, then my half hour one-way commute would become, what, an hour, hour and a half one-way? and to spend the whole way getting hacked and coughed on by all the sickies sitting next to me... no thanks. give me a nice, fast commuter rail line and then maybe i'll bite, but the bus is not for me.

Crono

Fri, Aug 23, 2013 : 1:26 a.m.

Yeah. It's called Route 4 of AATA. If more people actually would ride the bus in Ann Arbor, none of these things would be a problem!! So long as people choose to drive a car to work everyday, you will never see this problem end and it will only get worse.

sttc

Thu, Aug 22, 2013 : 7:09 p.m.

i'm eagerly awaiting geddes being re-opened all the way through again myself.

Halter

Thu, Aug 22, 2013 : 7:04 p.m.

We have a route that does that. But as a resident of that area, I sure as heck am not going to share my sneak route around Washtenaw. Google Maps is your friend.

Ben Freed

Thu, Aug 22, 2013 : 6:28 p.m.

Having lived in Ann Arbor Hills previously, I have to say that I think the new light will actually make crossing Washtenaw safer rather than more dangerous. I lived on the north side of Washtenaw and there was nowhere to cross safely between Sheridan and Huron Parkway. Getting to the Rec Center was a bit of a challenge. Hopefully pedestrians will take advantage of the new crosswalks and use them well to avoid future injuries. As a driver the new light is a moderate inconvenience, but I'm glad it's properly visible to eastbound drivers. I was worried that drivers coming up over the slight hill before the light would be unable to see if it was green or red.

andercar

Fri, Aug 23, 2013 : 12:48 a.m.

The pedestrian signs and overhead pedestrian crossing sign should be removed immediately on Washtenaw in front of the Rec Center. They 'whited out' the crosswalk but they did not remove the signs.

justcurious

Thu, Aug 22, 2013 : 8:53 p.m.

OK, they added a traffic signal for a shopping center. How about adding one on Plymouth because of fatalities.

Ben Freed

Thu, Aug 22, 2013 : 6:29 p.m.

Also, I'm excited for the Brooks Brothers to open so I can spruce up my Formal Friday wardrobe.

C'est la vie

Thu, Aug 22, 2013 : 6:17 p.m.

While reading the article I copied this comment: ""We parked at Whole Foods and ran across Washtenaw," said Carrie Matson" Now arriving down at the comments, I see I wasn't the only reader to whom this statement jumped out. What a nightmare! I already avoid this part of town; now there's even more reason to do so. On the other hand, there's going to be so little excuse for dressing sloppily with these retailers now in town!

mady

Fri, Aug 23, 2013 : 6:10 p.m.

Hey, I dress for COMFORT, call it anything you want! ;) signed, "Queen Sloppy"

Brad

Fri, Aug 23, 2013 : 12:37 p.m.

Yes, wouldn't want to get run over on Washtenaw while sloppily dressed.

johnnya2

Fri, Aug 23, 2013 : 2:26 a.m.

@ Catherine, Well I guess YOU get to decide what experiences one should spend THEIR money on. Get over yourself. Your "experiences bore most, so move along

Catherine

Thu, Aug 22, 2013 : 10:32 p.m.

"so little excuse for dressing sloppily" except indifference to clothing and a preference for spending one's money on experiences rather than things?

M

Thu, Aug 22, 2013 : 6:15 p.m.

One more reason to stay the heck away from Washtenaw.

Usual Suspect

Fri, Aug 23, 2013 : 2:59 p.m.

One of my favorite quotes, Basic Bob.

Basic Bob

Fri, Aug 23, 2013 : 10:44 a.m.

Nobody goes there anymore. It's too crowded.

Crono

Fri, Aug 23, 2013 : 1:22 a.m.

Good. Less traffic for everybody else.

seldon

Thu, Aug 22, 2013 : 6:02 p.m.

"We parked at Whole Foods and ran across Washtenaw," Great. More pedestrian fatality articles incoming...

Andy

Mon, Aug 26, 2013 : 2:47 p.m.

@Crono THIS. Whoever is in charge of traffic and planning for Washtenaw west of US 23 must be asleep at the wheel. It completely fails pedestrians, motorists and cyclists. The city needs to figure this out. You can't have that that density of retail shopping AND left 5 lanes of traffic with a 45mph speed limit and left turn lanes. The whole corridor is a transportation safety disaster.

Usual Suspect

Fri, Aug 23, 2013 : 2:59 p.m.

Your realize that there are people in those machines, right?

Crono

Fri, Aug 23, 2013 : 1:21 a.m.

All the more reason for the State of Michigan to start designing roadways for people instead of machines. ESPECIALLY in urban areas. Washtenaw Avenue (and many other roads in A2) need to be reconfigured to slow down traffic and make it easier to be a pedestrian. Washtenaw is only going to continue to be reinvested in and we will continue to see developments such as this pop up along Washtenaw. People need to stop using local roadways as if they were freeways.

Kyle Feldscher

Thu, Aug 22, 2013 : 10:57 p.m.

There is also a light near the shopping center, right at Washtenaw and Platt. Hopefully, people will be using that.

seldon

Thu, Aug 22, 2013 : 6:55 p.m.

We can hope.

Ben Freed

Thu, Aug 22, 2013 : 6:24 p.m.

There was probably some hyperbole there. Hopefully pedestrians (and cars) will be careful and avoid running into each other (literally) at that intersection and along Washtenaw.

Nora S.

Thu, Aug 22, 2013 : 5:58 p.m.

"We parked at Whole Foods and ran across Washtenaw". That just about says it all about the new traffic and pedestrian obstacle course.

treetowncartel

Fri, Aug 23, 2013 : 6:40 p.m.

"Its getting real in the Whole Foods parking lot"

Brad

Fri, Aug 23, 2013 : 5:01 p.m.

So 65% of the parking lot was available for the 61% of the mall that was open and yet there were still problems? Well now you know.

Crono

Fri, Aug 23, 2013 : 1:18 a.m.

Did nobody read the part that 35% of the parking today was being used by construction crews? No? Well, now you know!

ccsummer

Thu, Aug 22, 2013 : 10:08 p.m.

The Whole Foods shopping strip doesn't have enough parking for the stores that are there let alone run-off parking for the new strip across the street.

WalkingJoe

Thu, Aug 22, 2013 : 8:13 p.m.

I would have said the same thing Nora but you beat me to it. As soon as I read that in the article I thought "Oh boy, more people running across a busy major street and ignoring the traffic laws but if they get hit everyone will blame the driver."

towncryer

Thu, Aug 22, 2013 : 7:30 p.m.

Isn't it frowned upon to park in one retailers lot but shop at different retailer? I would not be thrilled if i were Whole Foods.

Ben Freed

Thu, Aug 22, 2013 : 6:23 p.m.

It's certainly going to be interesting. The light should help make things easier but the parking lot at Whole Foods is already full most of the time.

belboz

Thu, Aug 22, 2013 : 5:54 p.m.

Good thing parking isn't a problem. Ha. Can't wait to see the strategy when the other half of the stores are open. It's a bit of a maze. Nice stores, and it will be a cool atmosphere. A bit of a feminine atmosphere, but I guess that is too be expected. Arhaus is definitely my favorite.

mikeh

Thu, Aug 22, 2013 : 5:44 p.m.

A Madewell employee was handing out discount cars? That is impressive.

Melanie Maxwell

Thu, Aug 22, 2013 : 6:37 p.m.

I would have gotten in line myself if that were the case! We've fixed the caption, thanks @mikeh.

An Arborigine

Thu, Aug 22, 2013 : 5:44 p.m.

Oh, the humanity!

justcurious

Thu, Aug 22, 2013 : 5:26 p.m.

I don't understand these things at all...could someone please explain why anyone would do this?

tosviol8or

Sat, Aug 24, 2013 : 6:29 p.m.

Upscale snacks??

johnnya2

Fri, Aug 23, 2013 : 2:23 a.m.

I am sure there are plenty of things YOU do that people do not understand. GET OVER IT. People fight with a crowd of over 111k 7 o r 8 Saturdays every year to go see a Michigan foootball game. 40k go to Tigers games. 100's go to a movie theater when they could buy a big screen tv and watch them at home. For some people this is fun/entertainment. Why do you feel it necessary to think what YOU do as entertainment is somehow more sane than what somebody else does.

KateT

Thu, Aug 22, 2013 : 11:53 p.m.

It was a beautiful day; I was driving by anyway; I made a new acquaintance, and I got an inside scoop about Briarwood. I enjoy the free, upscale snacks, and with my free gift card today, got new clothes for almost free. I've done Macy's, Nordstrom Rack, Ollie's, Madewell...I didn't stay long, but it is a fun memory! Why wouldn't anybody do this? :-)

A2since74

Thu, Aug 22, 2013 : 8:59 p.m.

It is called capitalism.

Are you serious?

Thu, Aug 22, 2013 : 5:46 p.m.

"I don't understand these things at all...could someone please explain why anyone would do this?" I agree, but then thought maybe you were wondering why people post comments like we are doing!

PersonX

Thu, Aug 22, 2013 : 5:08 p.m.

Life is too short for this!

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